Tag cover of compact disk for prevention of shoplifting

Abstract: A new small sized tag cover of compact disk for prevention of shoplifting is developed. The shoplifting prevention tag 24 is not easily damaged or taken out from compact disk housing case 10. The compact disk is prevented from being stolen. The shoplifting prevention tag 24 is recycled for next use. The tag cover 18 of compact disk for prevention of shoplifting is comprised of first engagement portion 20b having first engagement piece 20a to be inserted to first groove 14a of lid portion 14 of the compact disk housing case 10, second connecting portion 22 having second engagement piece 22a to be inserted to second groove 14b of the lid portion 14, connecting portion 20c to retain the housing case 10 in closed condition clamping said housing case 10 together with said first and second engagement pieces 20a, 22a, and locking mechanism to retain the lid portion 14 in closed condition. The shoplifting prevention tag 24 is attached to a position on either the first engagement portion 20b, second engagement portion 22 or the connecting portion 20c so that said tag 24 is not easily taken out from outside.

Description: This invention relates to a tag cover of compact disks for prevention of shoplifting in a sales store or rental shop of compact disks. The tag cover is provided for interaction with an electric wave or electromagnetic shoplifting detection system so as to protect against shoplifting in a sales store or rental shop of compact disks. Description of the Prior Art In the early days of compact disks, sales stores or rental shops of compact disks (hereinafter called as CD) adopted an electric wave or electromagnetic shoplifling detection system. The system for prevention of shoplifting is composed to react to a shoplifting for prevention of shoplifting is composed to react to a shoplifting prevention tag attached to a CD case cover. Consequently, when a customer passes through entrance or exit of the sales store or rental shop taking CD with shoplifting prevention tag with him, a warning signal is issued. Therefore, most sales stores or rental shops of CD adopted the shoplifting prevention tags to attach to each of the CD goods displayed. The clerk removes said shoplifting prevention tag attached when customer handed the CD to him at exit. In such a way the sales store or rental shop of CD could succeed to prevent the CD from being shoplifted. In former days, most sales stores of CD sticked said shoplifting prevention tag on the wrapping paper of a CD housing case or inserted said tag inside the wrapping paper of CD housing case, whereas most rental shops of CD directly sticked said tag on the CD housing case or only inserted said tag inside the CD housing case. However, in sales stores there occurred a problem that the store requires a large amount of running cost because the shoplifting prevention tags are sticked on the wrapping papers of the CD housing case and they are not recycled for next use. Furthermore, it is easy to strip off the tags from the wrapping papers and sometimes the tags are damaged. These matters easily lead some customers to shoplifting. The tags are recycled if said tags are not sticked on but only put into the wrapping papers. However, this way may adversely stimulate shoplifting. This method is not recommended for the prevention of CD from being stolen. There occurred similar problems even in rental shops who stick the shoplifting prevention tag directly on CD housing case or just insert said tag into CD housing case. In particular, CD housing case is not wrapped in rental shops, thus it is easy to take out the CD from the CD housing case to shoplift. Some rental shops tried to wrap the CD housing case with paper and insert the tag inside the wrapping paper. However, taking into consideration working time to wrap the CD housing case with paper as well as loss of wrapping materials, there was a problem that it requires a great amount of running cost. In the U.S.A. there has been developed a large case to house the whole CD housing case. A specially designed tool is required to open the large case. Further, there is a problem that larger space is required in the receiving counter to store said large cases. Also there is another problem that displaying space must be enlarged. This problem will lead to decreasing number of CD goods to be displayed in the store. In Japan it is sometimes difficult to house such larger cases in the display rack of the shop. EP-A-0 223 760 discloses as closest prior art a seal for a box enclosing a compact disc, which comprises two rectangular box halves hingedly interconnected. The seal comprises a blocking element to applied to the box on the outside thereof, and this blocking element engage the two box halves with the box in the closed position and is engaged therewith by means of a latch mechanism positively locking into the box halves. The latch mechanism can be operated to an unlocked position by means of a special tool for disengaging the blocking element from the box. According to one embodiment, a bow comprising a flat web and two limbs extending perpendicularly to the web is applied to the closed box by inserting a flap on one limb into one of two opposite apertures provided in the box. Sockets provided on the other limb are inserted in the opposite aperture. According to another embodiment, instead of the sockets, a male latch element may be pushed into an aperture of the blocking bow so that the male latch element extends into an aperture in a box half and that projections on the male latch element engage by snap action into recesses formed in the blocking bow. Accordingly, the present invention is made in view of the aforementioned problem. The object of the present invention is to offer a small sized tag cover of compact disk for prevention of shoplifting. According to the small sized tag cover of the present invention, the tag cover is not so easily removed or damaged. CD itself is not so easily stolen. Further, the tag is recycled for next use. In order to solve the aforementioned problems and to achieve the object of the present invention, a tag cover of CD for prevention of shoplifting according to the present invention is provided as set forth in claims 1 to 5. Preferred embodiments of the invention may be gathered from the dependent claims. The tag cover of CD for prevention of shoplifting according to the present invention is composed as defined in those claims, the CD housing case is retained in closed condition by mounting the shoplifting prevention tag cover to the housing case, namely, the first and second engagement pieces are inserted to the grooves provided at both sides of the lid of the CD housing case. As the shoplifting prevention tag is attached to the position not easily removed from outside, compact disk is not taken out from the housing case when said tag is attached to the housing case. The shoplifting prevention tag is also not removed from said tag cover. Accordingly, it is sure to prevent the compact disk from being shoplifted. Furthermore, as the shoplifting prevention tag cover is attached to the housing case and they are locked by a locking means, the locking means being required to be released by a particularly designed tool, shoplifting prevention efficiency is further improved. In comparison with prior art, the tag cover of compact disk of the present invention is not so large as to house the whole housing case of compact disk but is small enough to be attached to only a part of the housing case. Thus receiving space of compact disk in display shelf becomes small and efficiency of receiving space is improved. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig.1 shows general structure of shoplifting prevention system applied the shoplifting prevention tag. Fig.2 is a perspective view showing compact disk (CD) housing case to be provided with shoplifting prevention tag cover in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing CD housing case provided with . shoplifting prevention tag cover in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig.4 is a drawing to explain the structure of the tag cover in detail. Fig.5 is a perspective view showing the second member from rear side. Fig.6 is a drawing to show the shape of tool to release the second member from the first member. Fig.7 explains how to release the second member from the first member using the tool shown in Fig.6. Fig.8 is a perspective view showing the structure of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig.9 is side elevation of the cross-section of the structure of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 is a drawing showing one example of another preferred embodiment. Fig.11 is a drawing showing another example of the shoplifting prevention tag cover. Fig.12 is a drawing showing another example of the shoplifting prevention tag cover. Fig.13 is a drawing showing another example of the sohplifting prevention tag cover. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Now one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is explained in accordance with attached drawings. Fig.1 shows a general structure of the shoplifting prevention system. provided with the shoplifting prevention tag of the present invention. It is one case showing the shoplifting prevention system being applied in rental shop of video tape or CD. In Fig.1, reference numeral 100 indicates a display shelf located in the rental shop on which CD, video tape, or the like (rental soft goods) provided with shoplifting prevention tag are placed. Reference numeral 102 indicates receiving counter of the rental shop. Reference numeral 104 shows a gate. There is provided a detective device of electric wave or electromagnetic type at the gate 104. The detective device is to detect shoplifting prevention tag and if a customer goes through the gate 104 taking rental soft goods with him, the detective device will issue a warning signal. With this shoplifting prevention system, loan and return of CD is carried out according to the following procedure. A customer takes out a CD from the shelf 100 as shown in arrow A and hands it over to the counter clerk. The clerk removes the shoplifting prevention tag from the CD and hands the CD to the customer over the rental counter 106 and the customer goes out of the shop through the counter gate 104. If the customer goes through the counter gate 104 taking the CD provided with shoplifting prevention tag with him, an warning signal is immediately issued after he passes through the gate 104. Shoplifting is prevented in such a way. When CD or other rental soft goods are returned, the customer returns the CD at returning counter 108 and a shoplifting prevention tag is again attached to the CD or other rental soft goods in the counter. The CD or other rental soft goods are placed back to the display shelf 100 as shown by the arrow D. If the customer damages or removes said shoplifting prevention tag and passes through the gate, no warning signal is issued. A preferred embodiment of the shoplifting prevention tag cover of the present invention which makes the CD prevented from being stolen according to the aforementioned manner is explained as follows. Fig.2 is a perspective view showing a CD housing case 10 to be provided with shoplifting prevention tag cover 18. As shown in Fig.2 ordinary CD housing case 10 is composed of main body 12 and lid portion 14 to clamp and fix the CD. The main body 12 and lid portion 14 are connected by means of a hinge 16. The main body and the lid portion are retained openably and closeably. There are provided on both sides of the lid portion 14 two grooves 14a and 14b of rectangular shape of predetermined size at predetermined positions, respectively. On the other hand, tag cover 18 is composed of two members made of plastic material. One member is the first member 20 having the first engagement piece 20a to be inserted to the groove 14a of the lid portion 14 and the other member is the second member 22 having the second engagement piece 22a to be inserted to the groove 14b of the lid portion 14. The first member 20 is composed of the first engagement portion 20b and main body comprising a connecting portion 20c and a reinforcement portion 20f. The main body is integrally composed with the first engagement portion 20b. The first engagement piece 20a is as shown in the figure shaped so that it may be easily inserted to the groove 14a of the lid portion 14. Such shape is also convenient because it does not damage an explanation. leaflet or brochure of the CD when said first engagement piece 20a is inserted from the groove 14a. Furthermore, in ordinary sales stores of CD, some cases 10 are wrapped with polyvinyl sheet and such a knife edge shape of the first engagement piece 20a makes said first engagement piece 20a cut into said polyvinyl sheet so as to be inserted into the groove 14a. The tag cover 18 is considered to be applicable in a CD sales store as well as in a CD rental shop. On the other hand, the second member 22 is detachably provided in accordance with the aftermentioned detachable mechanism with respect to the first member 20. The second engagement piece 22a provided vertically from the second member 22 is also shaped like a knife edge as the first engagement piece 20a and may be inserted into the groove 14b through the polyvinyl wrapping sheet. As shown in Fig.3, the first member 20 and the second member 22 are connected to each other by means of a releasable mechanism. When said first and second members are mounted to the CD housing case as connected, the lid portion 14 of the housing case 10 is engaged with the groove 14a and 14b by means of said first engagement piece 20a and second engagement piece 22a. The main body 12 of the housing case 10 is supported by the main body 20c of the first member 20. Consequently, the housing case 10 is clamped by said first engagement piece 20, said second engagement piece 22a and said main body 20c of the first member 20, the lid portion 14 and the main body 12 are retained as closed state. Accordingly, if the tag cover 18 is mounted to the housing cover 10, the CD is prevented from being taken out from the housing case 10. Next, Fig.4 is a drawing to explain the structure of the tag cover. 18 in detail and Fig.5 is a perspective view from rear side of the second member 22. As shown in Fig.4, two projections 20d having almost T character cross-section are provided at upper inside portion of the first member 20. There is provided an engagement projection 20e having almost triangle shape of side elevation between the two projections 20d and at both sides thereof. While, as shown in Fig.5, there are provided two fitting portions 22b inside the second member 22. The fitting portion is slidably fitted in the upward and downward direction with respect to the projection 20d. Also, there are provided engagement pawls 22c between the two fitting portions 22b and at both sides thereof. The fitting portion 22b fits the projection 20d and the engagement pawl 22c engages with lower portion of an engagement projection 20e. The second member 22 is connected to the first member 20 and the tag cover 18 is mounted to the housing case 10 as the state as shown in. Fig. 3. The second member 22 is connected with the first member 20 by engaging the engagement pawl 22c of the second member 22 with the engagement projection 20e of the first member 20. The tag cover 18 is mounted to the housing case 10 as shown in Fig. 3. The tool hole 22d located on the upper portion of the engagement pawl 22c of the second member 22 to release said engagement pawl 22c is explained afterward. There is provided the shoplifting prevention tag upper inside of the first member 20. When the tag cover 18 is mounted to the housing case 10 said shoplifting prevention tag 24 is integrally housed in the housing case 10. The shoplifting prevention tag 24 is attached to inside . the tag cover 18 and said shoplifting prevention tag 24 is prevented from being removed or damaged from outside. In order to inspect whether said shoplifting prevention tag 24 is attached to the first member 20 or not, it is preferable that the first member is made of transparent plastic material. Next, Fig.6 is a drawing of the shape of a tool to release the second member 22 from the first member 20. Fig.7 shows how to release the second member 22 from the first member 20 by means of applying the tool shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the tool 26 consists of a main portion 26a and three push pins 26b provided vertically in the main portion 26a. The tool 26 is made of elastic material. The second member 22 is mounted in the direction of arrow with respect to the first member 20 from the position shown in Fig.7(a). The second member 22 moves as shown in Fig.7(b). The engagement pawl 22c engages with engagement projection 20e. The second member 22 is not easily taken out from the first member 20. Next, the push pin 26b of the tool 26 is inserted to the tool hole 22d as shown in Fig.7(c). The tip portion of the push pin 26b pushes tip portion of the engagement pawl 22c. The tip portion of the engagenent pawl 22c is elastically deformed and the engagement pawl 22c and the engagement projection 20e are released. Next, the second member 22 is pulled upwardly and said second member 22 is released from the first member 20. According to the above mentioned structure, if the tool 26 is not applied, the second member 22 is not easily released from the first member 20. If the tool 26 is applied it is quite easy to release the second member 22 from the first member 20. Efficiency of prevention of shoplifting of CD is greatly improved by applying said particular tool. In the above example, three push pins 26b are applied. But it is not limited to such number. It is of course allowed to replace with any numbers of the push pin 26b and the tool hole 22d. In particular, it is desired to apply three or more numbers of push pins and tool holes. Fig.8 is a perspective view showing another example of the present invention. Fig. 9 is side elevation of cross-section of Fig.8. To omit the same explanation, the same parts corresponding to the parts of the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numerals. As shown in Fig.8 and Fig.9, the tag cover 18' is divided at substantially central portion. There is provided the guide portion 20d' on the first member 20d' to slide the second member 22' in the direction indicated by the arrow. The second member 22' is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow by fitting on the guide portion 20d, to fix or detach the first member 20' with respect to the second member 22'. There is provided three engagement pawls 20e ' integrally on the outer surface of the guide portion 20d ' . The first member 20' and the second member 22' are retained in locked condition by engaging the engagement pawls 20e' with the engagement projections 22c ' provided inside the second portion 22'. The tag cover 18 ' is retained firmly so that it may not be easily released from the housing case 10. The first member 20 ' and the second member 22' are detachable by inserting the three push pins 26b' of the tool 26' through the three tool holes 22b' provided on the outer surface of the second member 22' to push the engagement pawls 20e' inside to release said engagement pawls 20e ' from the engagement projections 22c ' . As explained above, the shoplifting prevention tag cover of the present invention is to retain the CD housing case closed and the CD is prevented from being stolen. The shoplifting prevention tag is not easily removed or damaged and therefore efficiency of shoplifting prevention is very high. The tag cover is a small one only to attach to a part of the CD housing case, thus efficiency of space is greatly improved. The preferred embodiments described and shown are illustrative but not limitative and can easily be modified and varied by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. For instance, it is also recommended to divide the shoplifting prevention tag cover into three portions as shown in Fig. 11. If an approproiate locking means is provided as shown in Fig.12, the second member is rotatably supported with respect to the first member by means of a hinge 30. Further, as shown in Fig.13, it is recommended to apply some elastic material to the tag cover and the tag cover is mounted to and released from the housing case by distortion of elastic material of itself. In this case, a tool indicated by reference numeral 32 is applied to wrench in the direction indicated by arrow. The tag cover is distorted in the direction of the arrow G and the tag cover is removed from the housing case 10. Effect of the Invention As explained aforementioned, according to the tag cover of compact. disk for prevention of shoplifting of the present invention, the tag cover is mounted to the housing case by inserting the first and the second engagement pieces to the grooves provided at both sides of the lid portion. The shoplifting prevention tag is attached to a position of the housing case so that said tag is not easily taken out from outside of said housing case. The compact disk is not taken out from the housing case and also the shoplifting prevention tag is not removed from the tag cover. Accordingly, compact disk is certainly prevented from being shoplifted. Further, said tag cover cannot be released from said housing case unless a specially designed unlocking means developed for the purpose of unlocking the locked condition of said tag cover and said housing case is applied. Efficiency of shoplifting prevention is further increased. Unlike prior art, the tag cover of the present invention is not so large as to house the whole housing case of the compact disk, but it is attached only to a part of the housing case. The size of the tag cover is very small. Smaller space of the display shelf in a sales store or rental shop of compact disks will be enough to accept a large amount of compact disks in comparison with prior art.

Claims: A compact disk tag cover (18) for interaction with an electric wave or electromagnetic shoplifting detection system so as to protect against shoplifting a compact disk packed in an associated CD-housing case (10), said CD-housing case (10) comprising a main body (12) and a lid portion (14), the main body (12) having a back wall and said lid being pivotally linked to said main body, whereby when positioned in use in a closed configuration the main body (12) and the lid portion (14) are held together by means of said tag cover (18) so as to prevent the compact disk from being removed from its CD-housing case (10), said tag cover (18) consisting of the following structure members: a first engagement portion (20b) having a first engagement piece (20a) adapted to be inserted into a first groove (14a) located on one lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a first engagement surface adapted to be in contact with face of said on lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said first engagement piece (20a) is inserted into said first groove (14a), a second engagement portion (22) having a second engagement piece (22a) adapted to be inserted into a second groove (14b) located on the opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a second engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said second engagement piece (22a) is inserted into said second groove (14b), and a connecting portion (20c) connecting the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) so that in use, when the tag cover (18) is retained on a CD-housing case (10) with said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22a) each engaging respective grooves (14a, 14b) in the lid portion (14), a limit wall of the connecting portion (20c) encloses the CD-housing case (10) along the side wall thereof located distally of said pivoted link; whereby an integral reinforcement portion (20f) of said connecting portion (20c) extends perpendicular to said limit wall so as likewise to connect the first engagement portion (20b) to the second engagement portion (22); and whereby, when used to prevent opening of a CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) is locked in a protection mode for retaining the first engagement piece (20a) and the second engagement piece (22a) inserted respectively in the first groove (14a) and the second groove (14b) of the lid portion (14), said first and second engagement surfaces are in contact with said respective lateral side walls of the lid portion (14), and the reinforcement portion (20f) extends at least partly along the back wall of the CD-housing case (10) parallel to and behind the CD housed therein; said tag cover (18) further comprising: mode releasing means for releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode enclosing a CD-housing case (10), so that said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22) may be withdrawn from the respective first and second groove (14a, 14b), thus permitting the lid portion (14) of the CD-housing case (10) to be opened; locking means (20e, 22d) selectively preventing the mode releasing means from releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode; and a shoplifting prevention tag (24) of the shoplifting detection system attached in a suitable position on one of the connecting portion (20c), the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) of the tag cover (18), such that the tag (24) cannot be tampered with when the tag cover (18) is in its protection setting on a CD-housing case, wherein said first engagement portion (20b) is permanently attached to said connecting portion (20c) and said second engagement portion (22) is releasably attachable to said connecting portion (20c), wherein for applying the compact disk tag cover (18) to a CD-housing case (10), a first member (20) of the tag cover 18), comprising the first engagement portion (20b), the connecting portion (20c) including the reinforcement portion (20f), and a second member (22) of the tag cover (18), comprising the second engagement portion (22), are held in a position such that the first engagement piece (20a) is aligned with the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) is aligned with the second groove (14b), and the first and second members (20, 22) are moved towards each other until the first engagement piece (20a) engages the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) engages the second groove (14b), the second member (22) of the tag cover (18) thereby locking together firmly with the first member (20) by means of said locking means (20e, 22d), so that the tag cover (18) is locked onto the CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) thus defining a space into which in use the CD-housing case (10) extends, each of the first engagement portion (20b), the reinforcement portion (20f) of the connecting portion (20c) and the second engagement portion (22) forming at least one wall determining said space. A compact disk tag cover (18) for interaction with an electric wave or electromagnetic shoplifting detection system so as to protect against shoplifting a compact disk packed in an associated CD-housing case (10), said CD-housing case (10) comprising a main body (12) and a lid portion (14), the main body (12) having a back wall and said lid being pivotally linked to said main body, whereby when positioned in use in a closed configuration the main body (12) and the lid portion (14) are held together by means of said tag cover (18) so as to prevent the compact disk from being removed from its CD-housing case (10), said tag cover (18) consisting of the following structural members: a first engagement portion (20b) having a first engagement piece (20a) adapted to be inserted into a first groove (14a) located on one lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a first engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said on lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said first engagement piece (20a) is inserted into said first groove (14a), a second engagement portion (22) having a second engagement piece (22a) adapted to be inserted into a second groove (14b) located on the opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a second engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said second engagement piece (22a) is inserted into said second groove (14b), and a connecting portion (20c) connecting the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) so that in use, when the tag cover (18) is retained on a CD-housing case (10) with said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22a) each engaging respective grooves (14a, 14b) in the lid portion (14), a limit wall of the connecting portion (20c) encloses the CD-housing case (10) along the side wall thereof located distally of said pivoted link whereby; an integral reinforcement portion (20f) of said connecting portion (20c) extends perpendicular to said limit wall so as likewise to connect the first engagement portion (20b) to the second engagement portion (22); and whereby, when used to prevent opening of a CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) is locked in a protection mode for retaining the first engagement piece (20a) and the second engagement piece (22a) inserted respectively in the first groove (14a) and the second groove (14b) of the lid portion (14), said first and second engagement surfaces are in contact with said respective lateral side walls of the lid portion (14), and the reinforcement portion (20f) extends at least partly along the back wall of the CD-housing case (10) parallel to and behind the CD housed therein; said tag cover (18) further comprising: mode releasing means for releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode enclosing a CD-housing case (10), so that said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22) may be withdrawn from the respective first and second groove (14a, 14b), thus permitting the lid portion (14) of the CD-housing case (10) to be opened; locking means (20e, 22d) selectively preventing the mode releasing means from releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode; and a shoplifting prevention tag (24) of the shoplifting detection system attached in a suitable position on one of the connecting portion (20c), the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) of the tag cover (18), such that the tag (24) cannot be tampered with when the tag cover (18) is in its protection setting on a CD-housing case, wherein said first engagement portion (20b) is permanently attached to said connecting portion (20c') and said second engagement portion (22') is slidably connected to said connecting portion (20c'), wherein for applying the compact disk tag cover (18') to a CD-housing case (10), a first member (20') of the tag cover (18'), comprising the first engagement portion (20b), the connecting portion (20c') including the reinforcement portion (20f), and a second member (22') of the tag cover (18'), comprising the second engagement portion (22'), are held a first position in which the locking means (20e', 22c') are released and the first engagement piece (20a) is aligned with the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) is aligned with the second groove (14b), and the first and second members (20', 22') are slid towards each other until a second position is reached in which the locking means (20e', 22c') are locked and the first engagement piece (20a) engages the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) engages the second groove (14b), the second member (22') of the tag cover (18') thereby locking together firmly with the first member (20') by means of said locking means (20e', 22c'), so that the tag cover (18') is locked onto the CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18') thus defining a space into which in use the CD-housing case (10) extends, each of the first engagement portion (20b), the limit wall (20c') and the reinforcement portion (20f) of the connecting portion (20c') and the second engagement portion (22') forming at least one wall determining said space. A compact disk tag cover (18) for interaction with an electric wave or electromagnetic shoplifting detection system so as to protect against shoplifting a compact disk packed in an associated CD-housing case (10), said CD-housing case (10) comprising a main body (12) and a lid portion (14), the main body (12) having a back wall and said lid being pivotally linked to said main body, whereby when positioned in use in a closed configuration the main body (12) and the lid portion (14) are held together by means of said tag cover (18) so as to prevent the compact disk from being removed from its CD-housing case (10), said tag cover (18) consisting of the following structural members: a first engagement portion (20b) having a first engagement piece (20a) adapted to be inserted into a first groove (14a) located on one lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a first engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said on lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said first engagement piece (20a) is inserted into said first groove (14a), a second engagement portion (22) having a second engagement piece (22a) adapted to be inserted into a second groove (14b) located on the opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a second engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said second engagement piece (22a) is inserted into said second groove (14b), and a connecting portion (20c) connecting the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) so that in use, when the tag cover (18) is retained on a CD-housing case (10) with said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22a) each engaging respective grooves (14a, 14b) in the lid portion (14), a limit wall of the connecting portion (20c) encloses the CD-housing case (10) along the side wall thereof located distally of said pivoted link whereby; an integral reinforcement portion (20f) of said connecting portion (20c) extends perpendicular to said limit wall so as likewise to connect the first engagement portion (20b) to the second engagement portion (22); and whereby, when used to prevent opening of a CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) is locked in a protection mode for retaining the first engagement piece (20a) and the second engagement piece (22a) inserted respectively in the first groove (14a) and the second groove (14b) of the lid portion (14), said first and second engagement surfaces are in contact with said respective lateral side walls of the lid portion (14), and the reinforcement portion (20f) extends at least partly along the back wall of the CD-housing case (10) parallel to and behind the CD housed therein; said tag cover (18) further comprising: mode releasing means for releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode enclosing a CD-housing case (10), so that said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22) may be withdrawn from the respective first and second groove (14a, 14b), thus permitting the lid portion (14) of the CD-housing case (10) to be opened; locking means (20e, 22d) selectively preventing the mode releasing means from releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode; and a shoplifting prevention tag (24) of the shoplifting detection system attached in a suitable position on one of the connecting portion (20c), the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) of the tag cover (18), such that the tag (24) cannot be tampered with when the tag cover (18) is in its protection setting on a CD-housing case, wherein said first engagement portion (20b) and said second engagement portion (22) are each releasably attachable to said connecting portion (20c), wherein for applying the compact disk tag cover (18) to a CD-housing case (10), a first member (20c, 20f) of the tag cover (18), comprising the connecting portion (20c) including the reinforcement portion (20f), a second member (20b) of the tag cover (18) comprising the first engagement portion (20b), and a third member (22) of the tag cover (18) comprising the second engagement portion (22) are held in a position such that the first engagement piece (20a) is aligned with the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) is aligned with the second groove (14b) and the first, second and third members are aligned with each other, said first, second and third members being moved towards each other until the first engagement piece (20a) engages the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) engages the second groove (14b), the second and third members (20b, 22) of the tag cover (18) thereby locking together firmly with the first member (20c, 20f) by means of said locking means (20e, 22d), so that the tag cover (18) is locked onto the CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) thus defining a space into which in use the CD-housing case (10) extends, each of the first engagement portion (20b), the limit wall (21c) and the reinforcement portion (20f) of the connecting portion (20c) and the second engagement portion (22) forming at least one walls determining said space. A compact disk tag cover (18) for interaction with an electric wave or electromagnetic shoplifting detection system so as to protect against shoplifting a compact disk packed in an associated CD-housing case (10), said CD-housing case (10) comprising a main body (12) and a lid portion (14), the main body (12) having a back wall and said lid being pivotally linked to said main body, whereby when positioned in use in a closed configuration the main body (12) and the lid portion (14) are held together by means of said tag cover (18) so as to prevent the compact disk from being removed from its CD-housing case (10), said tag cover (18) consisting of the following structural members: a first engagement portion (20b) having a first engagement piece (20a) adapted to be inserted into a first groove (14a) located on one lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a first engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said on lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said first engagement piece (20a) is inserted into said first groove (14a), a second engagement portion (22) having a second engagement piece (22a) adapted to be inserted into a second groove (14b) located on the opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a second engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said second engagement piece (22a) is inserted into said second groove (14b), and a connecting portion (20c) connecting the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) so that in use, when the tag cover (18) is retained on a CD-housing case (10) with said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22a) each engaging respective grooves (14a, 14b) in the lid portion (14), a limit wall of the connecting portion (20c) encloses the CD-housing case (10) along the side wall thereof located distally of said pivoted link whereby; an integral reinforcement portion (20f) of said connecting portion (20c) extends perpendicular to said limit wall so as likewise to connect the first engagement portion (20b) to the second engagement portion (22); and whereby, when used to prevent opening of a CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) is locked in a protection mode for retaining the first engagement piece (20a) and the second engagement piece (22a) inserted respectively in the first groove (14a) and the second groove (14b) of the lid portion (14), said first and second engagement surfaces are in contact with said respective lateral side walls of the lid portion (14), and the reinforcement portion (20f) extends at least partly along the back wall of the CD-housing case (10) parallel to and behind the CD housed therein; said tag cover (18) further comprising: mode releasing means for releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode enclosing a CD-housing case (10), so that said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22) may be withdrawn from the respective first and second groove (14a, 14b), thus permitting the lid portion (14) of the CD-housing case (10) to be opened; locking means (20e, 22d) selectively preventing the mode releasing means from releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode; and a shoplifting prevention tag (24) of the shoplifting detection system attached in a suitable position on one of the connecting portion (20c), the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) of the tag cover (18), such that the tag (24) cannot be tampered with when the tag cover (18) is in its protection setting on a CD-housing case, wherein said first engagement portion (20b) is permanently attached to said connecting portion (20c) and said second engagement portion (22) is pivotally connected to said connecting portion (20c), wherein for applying the compact disk tag cover (18) to a CD-housing case (10), a first member (20) of the tag cover (18), comprising the first engagement portion (20b), the connecting portion (20c) including the reinforcement portion (20f), and a second member (22) of the tag cover (18), comprising the second engagement portion (22), are held a first position in which the first engagement piece (20a) engages the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) is pivoted away from the CD-housing case (10), and then the second member (22) is pivoted to a second position in which the second engagement piece (22a) engages the second groove (14b), the second member (22) of the tag cover (18) thereby locking together firmly with the first member (20) by means of said locking means (20e, 22d), so that the tag cover (18) is locked onto the CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) thus defining a space into which in use the CD-housing case (10) extends, each of the first engagement portion (20b), the limit wall (20c) and the reinforcement portion (20f) of the connecting portion (20c) and the second engagement portion (22) forming at least one wall determining said space. A compact disk tag cover (18) for interaction with an electric wave or electromagnetic shoplifting detection system so as to protect against shoplifting a compact disk packed in an associated CD-housing case (10), said CD-housing case (10) comprising a main body (12) and a lid portion (14), the main body (12) having a back wall and said lid being pivotally linked to said main body, whereby when positioned in use in a closed configuration the main body (12) and the lid portion (14) are held together by means of said tag cover (18) so as to prevent the compact disk from being removed from its CD-housing case (10), said tag cover (18) consisting of the following structural members: a first engagement portion (20b) having a first engagement piece (20a) adapted to be inserted into a first groove (14a) located on one lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a first engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said on lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said first engagement piece (20a) is inserted into said first groove (14a), a second engagement portion (22) having a second engagement piece (22a) adapted to be inserted into a second groove (14b) located on the opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) of a CD-housing case (10) and a second engagement surface adapted to be in contact with the face of said opposite lateral side wall of the lid portion (14) when said second engagement piece (22a) is inserted into said second groove (14b), and a connecting portion (20c) connecting the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) so that in use, when the tag cover (18) is retained on a CD-housing case (10) with said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22a) each engaging respective grooves (14a, 14b) in the lid portion (14), a limit wall of the connecting portion (20c) encloses the CD-housing case (10) along the side wall thereof located distally of said pivoted link whereby; an integral reinforcement portion (20f) of said connecting portion (20c) extends perpendicular to said limit wall so as likewise to connect the first engagement portion (20b) to the second engagement portion (22); and whereby, when used to prevent opening of a CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) is locked in a protection mode for retaining the first engagement piece (20a) and the second engagement piece (22a) inserted respectively in the first groove (14a) and the second groove (14b) of the lid portion (14), said first and second engagement surfaces are in contact with said respective lateral side walls of the lid portion (14), and the reinforcement portion (20f) extends at least partly along the back wall of the CD-housing case (10) parallel to and behind the CD housed therein; said tag cover (18) further comprising: mode releasing means for releasing the tag cover (18) from its protection mode enclosing a CD-housing case (10), so that said first engagement piece (20a) and said second engagement piece (22) may be withdrawn from the respective first and second groove (14a, 14b), thus permitting the lid portion (14) of the CD-housing case (10) to be opened; and a shoplifting prevention tag (24) of the shoplifting detection system attached in a suitable position on one of the connecting portion (20c), on the first engagement portion (20b) and the second engagement portion (22) of the tag cover (18), such that the tag (24) cannot be tampered with when the tag cover (18) is in its protection setting on a CD-housing case, wherein each of said first engagement portion (20b) and said second engagement portion (22) is permanently attached to said connecting portion (20c), said tag cover (18) being deformable, such that the second engagement portion (22) is displaceable relative to the connecting portion (20c) between a first position in elastically which the first engagement piece (20a) engages the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) is movable over the CD-housing case (10) without engaging the second groove (14b), and a second position in which the first engagement piece (20a) engages the first groove (14a) and the second engagement piece (22a) engages the second groove (14b), so that the tag cover (18) is locked onto the CD-housing case (10), the tag cover (18) thus defining a space into which in use the CD-housing case (10) extends, each of the first engagement portion (20b), the limit wall (20c) and the reinforcement portion (20f) of the connecting portion (20c) and the second engagement portion (22) forming at least one wall determining said space. The tag cover of any of the preceding claims wherein said first engagement piece (20a) tapers longitudinally towards a tip end portion thereof. The tag cover of any of the preceding claims wherein said second engagement piece (22a) tapers longitudinally towards a tip end portion thereof. The tag cover of claim 6 or 7 wherein the first and second engagement pieces (20a, 22a) each comprise a sharpened knife-like edge. The tag cover of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein a guide portion (20d, 20d') is provided on said connecting portion (20c, 20c') such that the second engagement portion (22, 22') can slide thereon, The tag cover of any of the preceding claims wherein said tag cover is releasable from its locked condition by means of an unlocking tool (26, 26'). The tag cover of any of the preceding claims wherein said tag cover is made of plastics material. The tag cover of claim 11, wherein the plastics material is transparent.

Inventors: SHIMADA TOMOHARU, SHIMADA, TOMOHARU
Applicants: SOFT SERVICE INC, SOFT SERVICE, INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: E05B73
IPC codes: E05B73, B65D85, E05B65